On Monday, a massive avalanche hit an Indian army training center at a ski resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The avalanche killed 6 soldiers and trapped 60 more.

The avalanche hit High Altitude Warfare School around 11 a.m. while the soldiers were on a training session.

Col. Vineet Sood, an Indian army spokesman in Srinagar said rescue operations were under way at Gulmarg ski resort which is about 30 miles northwest of Srinagar. A top police officer in Kashmir, Farooq Ahmed, said casualties could increase but the joint rescue teams of police, army, and tourism officials have already arrived at the area.

Sood adds, “We have activated all resources to rescue the buried soldiers.” However, the non-stop snowfall and rain are blocking the operations.

Avalanches and landslides in Kashmir are triggered by frequest rains and heavy snowfall. When this happens, roads are usually blocked and tourist resorts are also usually affected.

(image & story from Yahoo News)